Strip casting machine



Feb- 5, 1952 H. l.. HORN 2,584,704

STRIP CASTING MACHINE Filed sept. 7. 194s 5 sheets-sheet 1 Har/'y L. Hor/7 INVENToR.

f ATTORNEY H. L. HORN STRIP CASTING MACHINE Feb. s, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 7, 1948 Har/y Horn 1NVENT0R.

A TTORNE Y Feb. 5, 1952 .y H, HORN 2,584,704

STRIP CASTING MACHINE v Filed sept. 7, 194s 5 sheets-'sheet s @.5 Har/'y Horn IN V EN TOR.

BY M

A TTORNE Y `5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sepp. 7, 1948 .n.mmumru .5% w mw Qm .mmv o 5% N ,7/ NS \S um: o o oo 0 o n o j m /4 m Mm, w lQQ/ \&\, m

Ha/'y L'. Hof/7 INVENTOR.

WMZ? @4% ATTORNEY Feb. 5, 1952 H, HORN. 2,584,704

STRIP CASTING MACHINE. f

Filed sept. 7, 1948 5 sheets-sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

BY r a A TTORNE'Y Patented Feb. 5., 1952 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE This invention relates to new and useful improvements in strip casting machines for making printers slugs, leads and rules, and more particularly to machines of the general type shown in the United States Letters Patent, No. 1,438,951, granted to Benjamin S. Elrod on December 19, 1922, and No. 1,800,938, granted to Arthur A. Hedley on April 14, 1931, the machines being constructed and arranged to form a continuous strip of type metal which is then cut into sections of desired lengths.

The invention, therefore, relates broadly to the art of die-expressing and drawing of metal, and more particularly to the forming of continuous strips or bars of metal from a vmolten body thereof. Machines used for practicing the aforesaid method or art are adapted to form a continuous metal strip by drawing vthe same from the bottom or from below the surface of a molten body of the metal, the metal being drawn through the shaped channel of a suitable die and cooled in passing through said channel, so that the metal enters one end of the channel as a iiuid and emerges from the other end thereof as a solid strip. The movement of the strip is effected by pulling upon the solidified portion thereof protruding from the die, the molten metal being subjected merely to sui'licient pressure to cause it to follow through Vthe die channel rather than to a pressure great enough to directly expel or extrude the metal through the die channel. After the metal bar or strip has been formed in suflcient length, it is cut off in sections of predetermined dimenslon and deposited upon a suitable stacking table or surface from which the severed strips are removed for storage or use.

In the devices of Elrod and Hedley, hereinbefore mentioned, the die channel member is bolted to an outlet neck formed on the pot or crucible containing the molten type metal and the cooling mechanism for the die is incorporated Yas an integralpart of the assembly, or the die or mold is set in an outlet throat or opening from the pot or crucible containing the molten metal and is held in place therein by means of a portion of the metal contained in the pot or crucible throat which has been permitted to harden or set around the die between the die and the wall of the throat. Furthermore, in both of the foregoing devices, the configuration of the metal strip formed bythe die is Xed and unchangeable, it being necessary to replace the die with another having the desired configuration whenv it is desired to produce a strip having a diii'erent. shape, size or printing face thereon. Also, the cooling mechanism of both previous devices is an integral part of either the die or the throat of the crucible in which the die is secured and cannot be readily repaired, adjusted or replaced Without completely shutting down the entire machine for long periods of time and completely replacing the cooling mechanism and occasionally rebuilding both the crucible and the cooling mechanism. Also, the position of the die in the foregoing devices is positively fixed after it is set in place and cannot be changed or moved to correct bowing or other misalignment ofthe strip of type metal formed by the die.

In the Elrod machine presently in use, the

ystrip of metal formed by the die is formed in a Vertical position with the printing face downwardly so as to ride or drag on any surface over which it passes. Furthermore, the pulling means for drawing the strip from the die channel alternately grips and releases the strip of metal, and the strip must be held by a brake or holding means while the pulling means is moved toward the diefor a new grip to further draw the strip from the die channel. Also, the strip of metal severed from the continuous strip being drawn through the die is permitted to fall on the surface of the stacking table with the printing edge of the strip resting upon or contacting such surface, whereby the printing face is easily deformed, or roughened and damaged.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide improved machine for producing printers leads, slugs and rules rapidly and automatically after being initially started and adjusted.

An important object of the invention is to provide a strip casting machine having an irnproved mold or die for forming the strip, improved drawing and holding means, and an improved cut-olf and stacking mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a strip casting machine an improved mechanism for drawing the strip of formed metal through the mold or die, which pulling mechanism continuously grips the formed strip and holds the same, said mechanism being intermittently moved to cause the strip to be drawn through the die.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a strip casting machine, of the character described, wherein the strip of metal formed by the machine is delivered from the channel of the die in a horizontal position, whereby the printing edge of the strip is protected against draging on the surface of the machine or against contact with moving parts thereof, said formed strip being severed into sections of desired length and deposited upon the stacking table with the printing face uppermost to assure protection of the printing face of the severed sections of the strip.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved severing and stacking mechanism for cutting the strip into sections of desired length and stacking the same with the printing face upward to prevent damage to such printing face.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a strip casting machine of the character set forth, an improved lubricating mechanism for injecting or admitting lubricants to the strip forming channel of the die of the machine for reducing frictional adherence of the formed strips to the wall of the die and facilitating the drawing of the formed metal through the die.

Another particularly important object of the invention is to provide inV Ya machine of the character described means for controlling and maintaining the temperature of the metal passing through the die channel at.. the proper temperature to prevent the formation. of pits or irregularities in the printing face of the strip formed by the die, such means includingan auxiliary heater directed at and heating the printing edge side `of the mold or die.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strip casting machine wherein all operating parts of the machine are quickly and readily detachable and replaceable, whereby such parts may be adjusted, removed and repaired or replaced without shutting down the machine for long periods of time or requiring the complete rebuilding of certain parts of the machine.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will readily be apparent from the reading of the following description oi a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation oi a stripcasting machine constructed in accordance with .the invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device in. Figure l,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional View taken through the. oiling mechanism of the machine,

Figure 5v is. enlarged longitudinal Vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the lubricating mechanism and one end of the strip forming die,

Figure 6 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional View taken through the pulling mechanism of the machine,

Figure 'l is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 'lof Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure '7,

Figure 9 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the cut-ofi and stacking mechanism, and

Figure 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line lS-l of Figure 9.

In the drawings, the numeral l5 designates a bench or table-top oi a strip casting machine used for forming continuous strips or bars of metal from a molten body thereof in the form of printers lead, slugs, rules, and the like, said tabletop being supported upon legs I6 and having a peripheral skirt l'l surrounding the legs below the tabletop and enclosing the drive mechanism to prevent accidental Contact with such moving parts by the operator of the machine.

Mounted on the tabletop l5 is a melting pot or crucible |8, substantially cylindrical in form, and Vbeneath the crucible is mounted a gas burner or other heating element I9 to which fuel is supplied for heating the crucible for melting the type mtal, lead, or similar soft metal alloys capable of fusion at moderate temperatures and having a fair degree of tensile strength when cold, which metals are used in forming the strip. The admission of fuel to the burner is controlled by a valve having a handle 2.0 accessible on the front skirt |1 of the machine.

The crucible is provided with an outlet passage or spout 2| communicating with the lower portion ofthe crucible and extending laterally therefrom. The inner end of the passage or spout communicates with the lower end of a pump cylinder 22 which is disposed in the body of the crucible and forms anintegral part of the lower portion or bottom thereof. A piston or plunger 23 is slidable within the cylinder and is actuated by means of a connecting rod 24 extending upwardly from the piston and connected to one end of a lever 25 which is fulcrumed between lugs 26 formed on the upper end of the crucible body. The lever 25 is actuated by means of a push rod 21 which is connected with the outer end thereof and extends downwardly below the tabletop. A cam rider finger 28 is adjustably mounted on the lower portion of the push rod and is engaged by a cam 29 carried by the main drive shaft 30- of the machine andv rotated thereby. Rotation of the cam member by the drive shaft causes the cam member to engage the rider nger 28 and cause reciprocating movement of the push rod, thus likewise causing reciprocating movement of the piston 23 in the cylinder 22. I

The push rod 21 is constantly urged upwardly by a coiled helical spring 3| which surroundsA the rodaboVe the tabletop l5 and is adjustably connected with said rod by means of a nut 32 threaded on the rod. The spring constantly urges the rod upwardlyv to urge the piston 23 downwardly in thecylinder 22. InY its reciprocating movement, the piston 23 is lifted. until it is positioned above a lateral vopening 33 in the side wall of the cylinder, whereby molten metal may enter through said opening into the bore of the cylinder, whereupon downward movement of the piston will force the metal outwardly along the passage of the spout 2| to form a strip S of solidified metal in a manner which will be hereinafter described.

A rotatable ported cylindrical plug valve 34 risy mounted in the spout passage 2| for controlling now of molten metal through the passage of the spout. A valve stem 34' extends upwardly from the valve plug to a point above -the upper end of the crucible and is provided with a handle 35 for manipulation by the user of the device.

Also communicating with the passage of the lateral spout 2| from the crucible is an oil feeding mechanism 36, which may be of any suitable desired type, for feeding, oil. to the molten metal Within the passage ofthe throat for reducing the resistance to the drawing of the formed strip of solidified metal, asv will hereinafter be more fully explained. The lubricating mechanism includes a cup or container 31' having an elongate cylindrical tube or conductor 38 extending axially downward from its lower end and containingI a bore 39. The portionof the tube adjacent the bottom of the cup is enlarged in diameter and provided with Vexternal screw threads 40, whereby the tube may be inserted into and secured in an opening 4l in the housing 42. for 4vthe foutlet throat from the crucible and extend downwardly therethrough into the throat passage, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5. A cap-42 is removably secured to the upper end of the cup 31 by screws 43 and is provided with an axial opening 44 through which an elongate valve rod 45Y extends. The valve rod likewise extends `downwardly through the bore of the tube 38 and is arranged to engage an upwardly facing seat 41 in a valve body 48 removably connected to the lower end of the tube. The valve plunger or rod 45 is normally urged downwardly into engagement with the seat by means of a spring 49 which is conned between the cap 42 and a flange washer 50 secured to the valve rod and normally spaced from the bottom of the cup 31, as clearly shown in Figurey 4.v The lower end of the valve body 48 extends intothe throat passage 2I, whereby lubricant from the cupi` 31 will pass through the bore39 of the V tube 38 and` past the valve seat 41Vthrough a restricted .epassage 5l in the valve body vto the throat passage 2l, for lubricating the molten metal-passing therethrough. A downwardly facing. valve seat 52 is formed in the lower end of the valve body and is arranged tobe engaged by; ,a vlQat valve plug 53 for preventing back-flowof. oil or` molten metal into Vthe borek ofk the tube thereabove. A cross pin 54 is provided at theplower end of. the valve body for supporting the plug 53- in its lowermost position. The valve plunger rod 45 is lifted out ofengagement'with the upwardly facing'v'seat 41 by an elongate L-shaped lift vrod 55, vhaving abifurcated end 56 which engages beneath a nut 51 threaded on the upper end of the plunger rod.v The elongate vertical portion of the lift rod extends downwardly through an opening in a guide plate 58 secured by means of bolts 59 to the upper end of the spout housing, and then extends on downwardly through an opening in the tabletop I5. A roller wheelSU is mounted on a transverse pin 6| at the lower encl of the lift rod and is positioned to be engagedby a cam pin 62 carried by a` rotatable follower disc 63 forming a part of a Geneva movement mech-l 'The follower disc is provided with plurality of uniformly spaced notches 64 in its` periphery, and between the notches thev peripheryhof the disc is formed with concave sections 65, which engage and ride upon. the circular surface 66 of the actuating disc 61 of ,the` Genevamovement. The actuating disc is provided with an annular fiange 68 on one side, and an actuating pin 69 is carried by the flange and adapted to engage in the notches 64 of the follower disc to cause the follower Vdisc to be turned through a predetermined number of degrees. The circular surface 66 of the yactuating disc is cut away adjacent the pin 69 to permit the points on each side of the notches in the follower Vdisc to pass when the pin is engaged in one ofthe notches, so that the next adjacent concave surface 65' is turned into contact with the-circular surface 66 of the actuating disc. Manifestly, Vthe actuating disc must be turnedA through a predetermined number of revolutions tocause a single revolution of the follower disc. For each single revolution of the follower disc, the cam Vpin 62 engages the roller wheel 60 at the .lower end of the lift rodto elevate the vlift rod and thus lift the valve'plunger 45 toopen the passage through the valve body 48 and permit oil to pass into the throat passage 2|. to lubricate the metal therein. Y

The actuating disc. 61 ismounted on'the main drive shaft 30 Vof the machine and is turned thereby. The follower disc is mounted on a parallel stub shaft 10, spaced from the main shaft and carried by suitable depending journal members 1| mounted on the underside of the tabletop.

It is preferable that the movement of the lift rod which elevates the valve plunger to permit lubricant from the cup 31 to flow into the throat passage be so timed with respect to the movement of the piston 22 of the molten metal pump in the crucible that the valve plunger will be elevated for only a short portion of the time during which the piston is moving upwardly to draw molten metal from the crucible into the pump cylinder and the molten metal inthe throat passage is under suction. With the valve plunger so elevated to open the passage through the valve seat, lubricant from the reservoir and lubricant tube 38 may flow past the plunger seat 41 and into the throat passage. The amount of lubricant permitted to flow past the valve plunger and seat is therefore controlled by the distance and the interval of time during which the plunger is lifted oif the seat, andA lubricant cannot flow from the cup into the throat passage at any other time. The check valve 53 prevents molten metal from the throat passage from back-flowing upwardly into the tube. The check valve 53 and the oil plunger 45 are normally opened together and are closed at the same time. The nut 51 may be adjusted on the valve plunger so as to control the opening of the plunger and control the amount of oil permitted to enter the throat passage.

June 5, 1948, now Patent No. 2,540,523, issued February 6, 1951, and entitled Lubricating Mechanism for Strip Casting Machines.

A nozzle or tip member 15 is screw-threaded into the outer end of the outlet throat 2l from the crucible and has an axial flow passage therethrough for permitting the molten metal to flow outwardly through the nozzle. The extreme outer portion or tip of the nozzle is preferably substantially hemispherical in configuration, as clearly shown in Figure 5, and this hemispherical tip end of the nozzle is arranged to engage in a concave or frusto-conical opening formed in the entrant end of a die or mold 16 which determines the form of the strip of type metal to be produced by the machine. The die 16 may be any suitable type, but is preferably of the same structure as illustrated in my co-pending application, Serial No. 20,855, filed April 14, 1948, and includes an elongate longitudinal channel 11 into which the molten type metal flows and wherein such type metal is cooled and caused to set or solidify and be shaped before it passes from the exit end of the opening of the die to form the strip SV of type metal.

IThe die 18 is releasably secured or clamped between a pair of cooling jackets 18 mounted-'in ak meansof an elongate adjusting bolt orrscrew 8| mounted on the front skirtxof the machine and connected with .a water pipe. 82 which com municates with the cooling jacket.

An adjustable locking clamp 83 mounted lon the jacket support engages. the outer end of the die, for pressing the die into leak-proof engage-- ment with the nipple 'i 5. The die or mold 'it is. preferably positioned in such av manner that the. strip is formed in `a horizontal. position with the printing edge thereof to. one side, for a purposewhich will be hereinafter more fully explained. Also the exit end of the dieisl adjustable laterally, whereby fbowing or misalignment of the stripY formed by the die maybe corrected or eliminated.

The metal supplied to the die enters the kdie molten form and is caused to solidify or set ladja-y cent the outlet or exit end of the die channel such solidiiication or setting being effected 4by the cooling jackets in heat exchanging relationship with the die through which 'cooling water is circulated for reducing the temperature .of the type metal tov cause vit to set or solidify. A clutch and pullingl mechanism :95 .is mounted on the tabletop yl5 near/the exit end of the die for positively drawing the `strip of type .metal from the die. The pulling .mechanism is operated intermittently, whereby the formed strip. is. pulried from the exit end of the die in short steps. Due to the cooling effect of the water jacket 12, the molten metal in the die channel El becomes mushy or semi-solidified during the period .the metalis permitted to stand still in the die channel. This is particularly true of the narrow printing face of the strip. Consequently, when the pulling mechanism extracts a length of the solidified metal from the die, itis possible that a certain portion olf the mushy semi-solidined .type :metal along 'the printing edge of the strip may bereduced in section and form a gap or notchin the printing edge, due to the lack of heat and fliuidity necessary to permit the molten metal to refill the space occupied by 'the Asemi-molten `mushy type metal. For-overcoming .and eliminating this defect, an auxiliary heater 84 :is mounted .on Ithe tabletop andv directs Aits iiiame toward the printing edge side of the die or `mold to normally maintain such portion `of the molten fmeta'l in the die channel at a slightly .higher 'temperature than the remainder thereof. Thus, when lthe pulling mechanism draws the strip from 'the die, the more molten portion of the type metal adjacent the printing edge will readily flow into the space occupied by the mushy semi-solidified portion of the metal and completely ll the same to provide a uniform smooth printing surface on the strip.

Referring now again to the pulling mechanism B, it will be seen that the mechanism includes a base frame '85 having a pair of spaced shafts 8'.' extending Atransversely thereof and carrying sprocket wheels 88, which are positioned 'within the frame. A roller chain 89 is 'mounted .on the sprocket wheels and alternate side links `of the chain areprovided with upwardly :and outwardly extending anges upon which foot or tread members 90 are secured. An adjustable upper frame 9|` likewise has a pair of :spaced shafts 92 mounted thereon carrying sprocket wheels -93 having la roller chain '94 extending between the sprocket i,

` wheelsandprovided with foot pieces 95.. identical with the Vfoot pieces 9:0. of the previously tdescrilsiedchain inthe lower rstationary base portion 8.6 of the pulling mechanism.; The `upper adjustable frame. section.9| is'sl'idable yupon upright rods 96. carried by the lower frame member, and springs 91l areconfined on the rods between the frames and normally urge theyupper frame away from the lower frame. .A cap plate 98 is secured on the upright rods 96 by means of nuts 99, and an adjusting screw |80 is threaded through this cap plate and engages against the upper cover 9|'a of the upper movable frame 9|, whereby the adjusting Vscrew 4may be .operated to force the upper frame member downwardly toward the lower frame member or may be adjusted to permit-the upper frame member to move upward-ly away from the lower frame member.

The upper and lower frame members are so positioned that the two inside runs of the Achains are parallel and coextensive, and Vthe tread or foot members and 95 are movable simultaneously to advance -thestrip of type metal lS which extends between the two inside runs 'ofA the chain. The strip is clamped Vbetween the chains by adjusting the screw |00 to move the upper frame member downwardly until the lower run ofthe yupper chain 94 rmly presses thestrip betweensaid lower run andthe upper run of the lower chain 89. A guide bar |0| is removably mounted by means of bolts A|02. on a cross piece |03 in the lower frame member between the sprocket wheels, and this guide bar engages the underside of the rollers of the upper run of the lower chain for supporting vthe chain against downward deflection. -A similar downwardly facing pressure bar |04 is mounted 'by lmeans of screws |05 on the underside of a cross member |106 located between lvthe sprocket wheels of the movableV .upper frame, and said bar engages against the upper side of the rollers on the lower run of the upper chain 94 for pressing the Vsame downwardly -to prevent Iupward deflection Iof the chain.

A gear |01 mounted on rone of the upper sprocket shafts '92 meshes-with a gear |08 secured to one of the lower drive sprocket shafts 81, vas clearly vshown in Figure 7, whereby the two shafts are driven simultaneously, and `the chains are therefore Amoved simultaneously.

`For 'turning the shaft 8-1 fon which ytheflgear |08 is mounted, a. ratchet `mechanism I l0 `is provided. The yratchet mechanism may be any suitable type,` 'but preferably consists of Y `a sleeve which is'secured on the `shaft by ysuitable pinsand has a square external periphery, Vas clear-ly shown in'Figure `8. Agear ring Al |52 -having a circular bore ;||f3andge'ar -teethl |15 on its periphery lsurrounds and isy heldvin place on the'v square'sleeve by a pair of ilangering-s vi i5 secured von opposite-sides :of the sleeve -by bolts .I i6, and these flange rings engage on opposite sides of thegear ring zwhereby the. gear is rotatable on the sli-'aftabout thesquare` sleeve. -Thelbore "I |3 of Ithegear ring 'is .of -such size that free vcylindrical vrollers |11. may be .positioned within the bore. of .thegear ring and lwill ride freealong .the central .portion fof vtheouter `plane .surfaces of .the square .sleeverbutnwill 'wedge between the l:ring and the plane surfaces of saidnsleeve-.to transfer movement from .the 'gear rring to .the sleeve when the gear ring is moved 'in a .counter-- clockwise :direction in .Figure .8, by;means v.whiclfi will be hereinafter vmore fully described. .The bolts 'H B `which securel the 'angecirings to fthe square sleeve extend between the flange rings within the bore of the gear ring and are arranged to engage the cylindrical rollers I1 when the gear ring is moved in a clockwise direction, in Figure 8, and will permit the ring to travel in such clockwise direction without transferring movement from the ring to the square sleeve, I

since the rollers |1 may move in a clockwise direction with the ring only to the central portion of the plane surface of the square sleeve. The bolts ||6 will prevent the rollers from moving past the central portion of the plane surfaces with the gear ring, whereby the gear ring may move freely with respect to the square sleeve, the flange ring and the rollers. It will be seen, therefore, that the gear ring ||2, the rollers ||1 and the square sleeve provide for intermittent movement of the shaft 81 in a counterclockwise direction, in Figure 8, and yet permit rotation of the gear ring in a clockwise direction without rotation of the square sleeve and the shaft 81.

For causing intermittent rotation of the gear ring ||2 a rack gear |20, having teeth along one edge meshing with the teeth of the gear ring, is mounted on the upper end of an elongate rack shaft |2| which extends downwardly through the tabletop and has a roller |22 pivotally secured at its lower end. The roller |22 is disposed to be engaged by a cam |23 mounted on the main drive shaft 30 of the machine, whereby rotation of the drive shaft rotates the cam and causes intermittent lifting movement of the rack shaft and rack. The length of the stroke of the rack shaft and rack may be controlled by means of a lever arm |25 which is pivotally mounted in a hanger |26 beneath the tabletop and has a bifurcated end |21 which straddles the rack shaft |2| and is arranged to engage the lower end of the rack gear |20 which extends below the tabletop to limit downward movement of the rack gear. This lever arm is adjustable by means of an adjusting screw |28 which is threaded through the tabletop and engages the opposite end of the lever to adjust the position of the bifurcated end of such lever arm and thus adjust the length of travel of the rack gear. Thus, by adjusting the position of the bifurcated end of the lever arm, the downward travel of the rack gear |20 may be shortenedor extended as desired, to control the length of stroke of the rack gear and thus the amount of turning imparted by the rack gear to the gear ring.

Due to the frictional engagement of the rollers of the chains 89 and' 94 with the guide bars 10| and |04 and friction inherent in the other moving parts of the pulling mechanism, it will be seen that any undesired motion is substantially eliminated, and that the chains are moved only when the ratchet or clutch mechanism ||0 positively causes rotation of the shaft 81. It will further be seen that the foot pieces 90 and 95 of the lower and upper chain ofthe gripping mechanism are constantly maintained in gripping engagement with the strip S of formed type metal at all times. There is no releasing'of the grip on the strip of metal for moving ya gripping mechanism for a new grip on the strip. The motion of` the chain runs of the gripping mechanism is all in one direction, and the foot pieces engage over a substantial area of the strip, whereby deformation of the strip is substantially eliminated and the need for a brake to restrain the strip against being forced out of the die by the pump piston l0 23 during the interval between pulling movements is eliminated.

Also, since the gripping foot pieces of the chains of the pulling mechanism continuously grip the formedr strip and hold the same, and since the chain is moved in only one direction, it will be seen that a uniform non-damaging pull is applied to the strip of formed metal. Also, since the gripping mechanism engages the strip on the long wide sides, rather than the printing edges, it will be seen that the printing face on the strip will not be damaged. Furthermore, since a plurality of the gripping foot pieces engage the strip over a large area or surface, it will be seen that the strip is not compressed or deformed by the gripping machine. Also, it will be seen that the gripping or pulling mechanism may be moved into either gripping or non-gripping positions, as desired, simply by manipulation of the adjusting screw |80 to move the upper movable frame 9| downwardly or to permit the springs 91 to move such frame away from the strip. This permits quick access to the strip, and likewise permits adjustment of the gripping force applied to the strip. Furthermore, the length of stroke of the gear rack |20 may be readily controlled by means of the lever mechanism |25 to limit the amount of movement or rotation of the shaft 81 caused by the ratchet mechanism |||l. Thus, an almost infinite variation in the length of pulling stroke applied to the strip by the pulling chains is readily obtainable. All .parts of the pulling mechanism are readily accessible for replacement or repair, if needed.

The strip formed by the machine ejected at the outlet end of the pulling mechanism 85 will be a continuous strip and may be cut into sections of any desired length by any-suitable means. Howevergfor automatically cutting the strip into sections of predetermined desired lengths, as the strip is formed, it is preferred that the cutting mechanism |30 be provided. The cutting mechanism includes an upright frame member |3| which is secured by bolts |32 to the tabletop i5 of the machine. The upright frame member has a central opening |33 in which a movable cutter head |34 is slidable. The cutter head is carried by a rectangular frame |35 which is slidably supported upon laterally disposed outwardly extending rods or shafts |36 carried by the upright frame member |3 A stacking table or platform |31 is secured at one end by means of bolts |38 to the upright frame member and extends outwardly from the outer end of the tabletop. The extreme outer end of the stacking platform is supported by angularly disposed brackets |39 connected with the legs I6 of the machine and with the under side of the outer end of the platform.

Mounted within the movable frame |35 of the cutter head is a stationary knife blade |48 upon which the lower at side of the strip S of formed type metal is arranged to slide. The cutter blade extends rearwardly through the central opening |33 of the upright frame member for'guiding the movement of the movable head. A movable cutter blade |4| having an angular cutting edge at its lower end is secured to a movable yoke member |42 having a central opening formed therein through which the stationary blade extends. The yoke is slidable vertically within the opening in the frame upon vertical guide rods |43, and is normally resiliently urged toward an elevated position by means of coiled springs |44 surrounding the guide rods and confined between the lower 1l end of the yoke and thelower cross piece of the frame.

An elongate trip rod |45 `is connected 'by Ameans of a pin |46 to the lower 'transverse portion of the yoke member and extends downwardly through an elongate slot |41 `formed in the tabletop l5 and in the stacking platform. A striking washer or ring |48 is secured to the lower end of the trip rod by means of a nut |49, and a bellcrank lever |50 is pivotally secured on a hanger |5| below the tabletop and is arranged to strike they ring |48 to move the trip rod downwardly to cause the movable knife 'blade to move downwardly to shear the strip S extending between said movable blade and the stationaryknife blade. The bell-crank member |56 has a roller wheel |352 at its lower end, and this roller wheel is arranged to be engaged lby a cam |53 mounted on they main drive shaft 3E] of the machine and rotated thereby to cause the bell-crank lever to be actuated to cause actuation of the trip shaft and the movable cutter blade.

The striking arm of the bell-crank lever is substantially Z -shaped in plan view and has a lcentral portion |54 which extends longitudinally of the machine parallel to the pivot in the hanger |i5l. The extreme outer end or head |55 of the striking arm is turned outwardly toward the trip shaft, as clearly shown in Figures 9 and 1|). This striking end of the bell-crank lever arm' is normally spaced outwardly beyond the trip shaft, whereby the striking arm will not engage the striking .ring on the trip shaft during its reciprocating movements caused Vby the actuation of the bell-crank lever by the cam. However, when the movable cutter head |34 and the trip shaft carried thereby are moved longitudinally to the right, as will be hereinafter explained, the strikinggring is moved beneath the striking head of the bell-crank lever, and the striking head will engage the ring to move the trip shaft downwardly and thus move the cutter blade downwardly to shearing position.

Helical coiled springs |56 are mounted on the slide rods 35 for normally urging the cutter head |34 inwardly vtoward the upright frame member f I3l. However, the springs may be provided yat any other suitable location for urging the cutter head toward the upright.

An elongate sliderod |58 has one end secured in the movable frame |35 and its other end slidable in an upright supporting bracket |59 carried near the outer end of the stacking platform. An adjustablestop member |60 is slidable on the rod |58 `between the frame and bracket and may be secured in various positions on said rod by means of a set screw |6|. The stop member extends downwardly from the slide rod and is so disposed as to be engaged by the advancing end of the strip S of formed metal, whereby the strip will act through the stop member to push the slide rod outwardly and thus pull the cutter head |34 outwardly with the strip. When the cutter has been moved in this manner suflic'iently to the right or outwardly to permit the striker head |55 of the bell-crank lever to engage the striking ring |48 on the trip shaft |45, the movable cutter blade will be moved downwardly to shear the desired length of strip from the main body `thereof Thus, the cutter head moves with the strip and the strip is, therefore, stationaryrelative to the cutter head during the cutting operation.

When the strip has been so sheared, it no longer exerts its force against the stop member and the springs |56 will pull against the cutter head to return the same to the original tggosition- Gil abutting against the upright frame member |531. When the cutter head has thus returned to its initial position, the striking ring at the 'lower vend of the trip shaft-is moved out of alignment with the striking .head of the bell-crank lever and the movable cutter is therefore stationary land not actuated.

An elongate support rod |55 is slung by means of angular bracket members |66 below theslide rod |58, and is so positioned that the formed strip S will slide along such support rod. The support rod'likewise extends through an opening formed in the lower end of the stop member |55 for further supporting the support rod and insuring that the stop member is so positioned that it will be engaged by the advancing strip of type metal,

The strip 'S travels along the support rod in a horizontal position, `as clearly shown in `ligures' 9V and 10, and the support 'rod is positioned slightly to the rear of the axis of the-strip, nearer the printing face of such strip. When the `de sired length ofthe strip has been severed by the -cutter head, the severed portion will fall and,

due to the engagement of the support rod with the rear portion lof the strip on which the printing face is formed,` the strip will `pivot on the support rod and fall toward and on the stacking table or platform with the printing face upward, This eleminates damage to the printing face of the formed strip. K

A suitable reciprocating bar |10 is slidable lat'- erally on the upper surface of the stacking plat form and moves the severed sections of the formed strip toward the front side of such plat-f form. The pressure bar is moved by means. ot actuating arms |1| 'adjustably mounted on a shaft |12 carried by brackets |13 on the under' side of the stacking tablet An elongate lever arm/ |14 is also secured on the shaft |12 and has a roller |15 at its lower end which is arranged to be enga-ged by a cam |16 carried on the outer end of the main drive shaft 3`|lof 'the machine. Thus, as the 'drive shaft is rotatedi the cam engages the roller on the lever arm to` swing the actuating arms and thus cause 'the pressure bar to be reciprocated on the surface oit the stack-ing table. A retainer bar |80 is pivotally mounted at its center on an elongate resilient pressure arml |8| which is pivoted on a pin |82 near the outer forward endof the stacking table andmainta-ins pressure 'on the forward group of severed strips for main-taining the strips in upright stacked position on the table.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that an improved strip casting machine has been provided which has incorporated therein an improved moldv or die for formingl the strip, an improved cooling apparatus for cooling the die, improved drawing and holding means, and an improved cut-01TV and stacking mechanism, whereby printers leads, slugs and rules may be formed rapidly and automatically `after `the machine has been initially started and adjusted. It will particularly .be notedthat the 'strip of formedA metal is drawn from the mold or die in a horizontal position and travels in. such horizontal position. until the desired length is cut oi from the ad vancing strip and stacked with the printing face'. upwardly on the stack table of the machine, thusI preventing damage to the printing face of they strip. It will further be seen that the gripping mechanism continuously grips the formed stripand holds thesame, said mechanism being intermittently movedto cause the strip to be drawn.

through the die of themachine'. Also, the gripping mechanism engages the formed strip over a large area to reduce the application of pressure Yper unit of area at any given point on the strip whereby damage or deformation of the strip by thegripping mechanism is eliminated. Furthermore, an improved ratchet mechanism for causing intermittent movement of the ypulling mechanism has been provided, whichv permits adjust- -ment of the amount of movement of the strip through an infinite number of increments of distance within the capacity of the machine. Likewise, an improved lubricating mechanism has been provided in the machine.

It is also important to note that means has been provided for controlling and maintaining the temperature of the metal passing through the die channel of the die at' the proper temperature to prevent the formation of pits or irregularities in the printing face of the strip formed appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Y

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters kPatent is: Y

1. A holding and pulling mechanism for a strip casting machine and including, a stationary frame,v a movable frame positioned above the stationary frame and normallyresiliently urged away from said stationary frame, a pair of spaced sprocket wheels in said stationary frame, an endless roller chain having foot pieces mounted thereon movably carried by the sprocket wheels with the foot pieces projecting above the upper end of the frame, a pair of spaced sprockets in the movable frame, an endless roller chain mounted on said movable frame sprockets and having foot pieces thereon projecting below the lower end of said frame, an adjusting member engaging the upper movable frame for moving said upper frame toward the stationary frame to move the exposed portion of the upper chain into gripping relationship with the exposed portion of the lower chain for engaging and positively gripping a strip of solidified metal to hold and to move the same, and a drive member connected with one of the sprockets of the lowerv frame for intermittently moving the same in only one direction.

2. A holding and pulling mechanism of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein, the lower frame is 'provided with a guide bar engaging the rollers of the chain beneath the upper exposed portion of the endless chain for supporting the same against downward deflection, and the upper movable frame is provided with a guide bar engaging against the upper side of the rollers of the lower exposed portion of the upper chain for preventing upward deflection thereof.

3. A strip holding and pulling mechanism for a strip casting machine including, a lower stationary frame, spaced shafts disposed parallel to each other in said stationary frame, sprocket wheels carried by said shafts, an endless roller chain carried by said sprocket wheels, foot pieces carried by alternate links of the roller 14 chain, the upper run of said chain being exposed above the upper end of the frame, a guide bar disposed below and engaging against the rollers of the upper run of the chain, an upper movable frame, guide means carried by the lower frame and engaging the upper frame for guiding the vertical movement of the upper frame with respect to the stationary frame, spring means interposed between the stationary frame and the movable frame normally urging the movable frame away from the stationary frame, an adjusting member engaging the movable frame for adjustably moving the movable frame toward the stationary frame and holding said movable frame in various adjusted positions with respect to said stationary frame, a pair of spaced shafts carried by said movable frame and disposed parallel to each other, sprocket wheels carried by said movable frame shafts, an endless roller chain mounted on said movable frame sprockets, foot pieces carried by alternate links of said movable frame chain, the lower run of said movable frame chain being exposed below the lower edge of said movable frame, a guide bar carried by said movable frame above and engaging against the lower run of said movable frame chain, means operatively connecting one of the shafts of the movable frame with one of the shafts ofthe stationary frame whereby the roller chains are moved simultaneously, and means for rotating one of said shafts intermittently in a single direction.

4. A holding and pulling mechanism of the character set forth in claim 3 wherein the means for intermittently moving one of the shafts in one direction includes, a driven member on said one shaft of the pulling mechanism, a reciproeating drive member, clutch means interposed ybetween said reciprocating drive member and the driven member for intermittently moving the driven member in a single direction, and means for varying the arc through which the driven member is turned.

5. A strip casting machine including; a frame; a drive shaft carried by the frame; a melting pot on the frame having an outlet nozzle; a pump in the melting pot having a driving connection with the drive shaft for intermittently forcing molten metal through the outlet nozzle; a die having a strip forming channel therethrough with an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends thereof; a pivotal sealing connection between the inlet of the die and the outlet nozzle of the melting pot whereby molten metal from the melting pot is directed into the channel in the die; adjustable clamping means on the frame releasably maintaining the inlet end of the die in pivotal sealing engagement with the outlet nozzle, said clamping means also providing, for adjustment of the outlet end of the die pivotally about the outlet nozzle connection in the plane of the major cross-sectional dimension of the die channel, whereby bowing of the strip formed may be corrected while the machine is operating; cooling members carried by the frame spaced from the outlet nozzle and adapted to releasably clamp the die therebetween in heat exchanging relationship therewith at such adjusted positions for cooling and solidifying the metal passing through the die channel; a gripping-and pulling mechanism on the frame spaced from the outlet end of the die and adjustable into and out of positive gripping and pulling engagement with the strip formed by the die, said gripping and pulling mechanism having a drivwith the melting pot pump for drawing the solid ined strip from thedie. l

6. A strip casting machine including, a crucible having an outlet, a die having a strip-forming channel therethrough and having its inlet end .in 'pivotal sealing engagement with the outlet vfrom the crucible for receiving molten metal therefrom, adjustable clamping means engaging `the die releasably maintaining the die in ven gagement with Iand for shifting the outlet end of the die about 4such pivotal engagement with the crucible outlet, said clamping means being adjustable during the operation of the machine, cooling chamber menrbers releasably maintained in heat-'exchanging engagement with the die for cooling and solidifying the metal passing through the die channel, the die being adjustable' between the cooling chamber members about its pivotal sealing engagement with: the Crucible outlet, yand :a gripping and pulling mechanism adjustable into and out of engagement with the solidified ystrip vprojecting from the outer end of the die for positively gripping the same and movable mtermttently in only one direction while so gripping the strip for drawing the solidi'ed -bar fromV the die, the adjustable mounting of :the die with .respect to the Crucible outlet and the cooling chamber members providing for forming a straight solidiedbar.

7. A holding and pulling mechanism for a strip casting machine: having a melting pot, a die connected at one endwith said melting pot to receive, molten metal therefrom and means for cooling the die whereby the metal is caused to solidify into a strip as it `passes therethrough, said holding and pulling mechanism comprising:

1.6 aV pair' of endlessf-chains` having foot pieces mounted thereon, sprockets for supporting said chains, the. sprockets for kone chain rotating about axes xed with respect to the melting pot, the sprockets for the other chain being mou-nted in a frame adjustable toward and away from said axes whereby said' other chain is movable into .and out of positive gripping engagement with the strip of solidied metal and whereby the strip is positively gripped and held between the chains on oppositeY sides and the gripping engagement of the foot pieces with the .strip may vbe adjusted and controlled, and drive gears connected with the chains for intermittently moving said chains in only direction to draw the solidified metal strip from the die, said chain foot pieces holding the strip aga-inst movement vduring the intervals between driving movements.

HARRY L. HORN.

REFERENCES CITED yThe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED Y STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 531,612 Emery Deo. 25, 1894 1,139,885 Mellen May 18, 1915 1,242,201 Keller Oct. 9, 1917 1,344,577 Brasted June 22, 1920 1,438,951 Elrod Dec. 19, 1922 1,498,971 Ladd June 24, 1924 1,568,047 Biseyv Jan. 5, 1926 1,800,938 Hedly Apr. 14, 1931 2,171,628 Lannert Sept. 5, 1939 2,173,377 Schultz et al. Sept. 19, 1939 2,398,261 Stone Apr. 6, 1946 2,496,235 Rossi Jan. 31, 1950 

